Power Grid plan gets nine bids

Power Grid Corporation of India's Rs 1,900 crore project to strengthen the western region transmission links has received bids from consortia like GMR-Reliance Energy, China Light and Power-Gammon, Larsen and Toubro-L&T Infrastructure and Lanco-Deepak Cables.

Reliance Energy Transmission and Tata Power have chosen to bid solo. Also in the fray with partners are Spanish companies like Cimi.

While 28 companies had bought the bid documents, the final tally shows seven consortia and two independent bidders for the project.

"The pre-qualification evaluation round will start within a week, and will be followed by techno-economical bids," Chairman and Managing Director of Power Grid RP Singh told reporters.

Among the nine bids that have been received, four have been made by foreign companies, either with an Indian or foreign partner. The developer for the project, to be completed by 2010, is expected to be finalised by the end of November.